Honolulu Traffic Will Be Worse With Rail

Yes, it’s hardly breaking news. But it keeps coming up. So let’s get it straight.

Inside Honolulu just got off the phone with head rail opponent Cliff Slater to gauge his reaction to the news that FACE is attempting to intervene in the rail lawsuit. (More on that soon.)

In discussing the public relations component of the lawsuit, Slater said many Honolulu residents are still confused about the impact rail will have on traffic congestion at least in part because the media has refused to acknowledge the truth.

Hence our headline — straight as an arrow.

Of course, the issue is a bit more nuanced. Traffic will be worse with rail in 2030 than it is today, but better with rail in 2030 than it would be without rail in 2030. The reason for the discrepancy: population growth.

Civil Beat’s editorial board examined opponents’ claims closely and reached the conclusion that the city did not mislead the public on the impact to future congestion.

Educating the public is part of the media’s role. Hopefully this helps clear it up.